07 October 2018
Cascade Crossfires Newsletter #2
10/08/2018
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our new class members! Thanks for joining us!
After class last week someone commented that we might need to review some Basic calls. Basic and Mainstream calls are the foundation of Plus calls. The better you know them, the easier Plus dancing is. You will find that there are a few Plus calls that you dance at every Mainstream dance. You don’t know it because the caller calls the individual calls rather than the combined name they were given for the Plus program. If you find that you are being challenged with some of the Basic calls, review the definitions, go to more Mainstream dances with different callers, and go angel at a Basic/Mainstream class.
As I mentioned last week the most challenging calls in any program are the Basic calls: Runs, Trades, Circulates, Stars, and Casts. Some are challenging because when we dance them they feel much like one of the others. This is the mental exercise part of square dancing…keeping them straight and then dancing them correctly. But as callers are always saying to each other…if a dancer can dance these five calls correctly and accurately they can dance anywhere in the world to any caller.
I also wanted to mention that I am using the teaching order that is used at Plus In A Week at Circle 8 Ranch. In the definitions below, the numbers correspond to the Callerlab suggested teaching order.
I hope you got out to enjoy the lovely fall weather this weekend!
See you Monday!
Happy dancing,
Susan
PS You can also find these newsletters on my website – www.callersusan.com under the Cascade Crossfires tab.
PPS Reminder!!! I am sending this newsletter to all members of the Cascade Crossfires, new class members and to a few dancers who support the club regularly. If you do not want to receive them there is an Unsubscribe option at the end.
Week #2
1. Acey Deucey: Starting formation: parallel waves and two-faced lines; other formations where you are able to identify 4 centers and 4 ends (or outsides). TIMING – 4 steps
CENTERS must be able to TRADE within in adjacent pairs of 2. ENDS (or outsides) must be able to CIRCULATE and not become centers. Center 4 TRADE, while the others CIRCULATE.
4. Load The Boat: Starting formation - Lines of four, with centers facing in, and the ends of each line facing the same (in or out) direction. TIMING – 12 steps
The END dancers move forward around the outside, passing right shoulders with three moving END dancers, and turn one-quarter in (90º) to stand beside the third person passed, facing the center of the set as a couple. Simultaneously, the CENTER four dancers PASS THRU, TURN THEIR BACKS to their momentary partners, PARTNER TRADE with their new partners, and PASS THRU.
STYLING: The end dancers, while moving on the outside, leave enough room for the center dancers to work comfortably. Arms are held in natural dance position throughout the action, blending into the appropriate hand position for the next call.
6. Peel Off: Starting formation - Tandem Couples, Box Circulate, or Z formation. TIMING – 4 steps
Lead dancers walk in an approximate semicircle, away from the center of the starting formation, to become the ends of a four-dancer line. Trailing dancers step forward as necessary to become centers of the same line and U-TURN BACK, turning away from the center of the starting formation. All dancers end in a four-dancer line. Each dancer will have turned half (180º) to end facing the opposite direction from which they started. Peel Off from Tandem Couples ends in a One-Faced Line. Peel Off from Box Circulate or a Z ends in a Two-Faced Line.
Notes: Everyone can Roll after a Peel Off. Dancers move in a smooth, continuous motion that cannot be fractionalized. The center of the ending formation is the same as the center of the starting formation.
11. (Anything) & Roll: Starting formation - Various. TIMING – 2 steps
The term "... & Roll" may be added to any call which, by definition, causes one or more dancers to have turning body flow to the RIGHT or LEFT as they complete their portion of the call. It is an instruction to those dancer(s) to turn individually, in place, one quarter (90º) more in the direction of body flow determined by the preceding command.
Note that if "... and Roll" is added to a call, which by definition, has some dancers walking in a straight line at the completion of their portion of the call, those dancers will do nothing for the "... and Roll".
13. Fan The Top: Starting formation - ocean wave or two-faced lines. TIMING – 4 steps
The centers of the line or wave turn three quarters (270º) while the outside dancers move forward in a quarter circle. The ending formation is at right angles to the starting formation. Centers remain centers and ends remain ends.
18. Diamond Circulate: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps
Each dancer moves forward to the next position in his diamond, changing his original facing direction one-quarter (90°) toward the center of the diamond. Points become centers, and vice versa. If the call is directed to facing diamonds, all must pass right shoulders.
21. Flip The Diamond: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps
The centers of the diamond do a Diamond Circulate to the next position in their diamond, while the points Run ("Flip" 180º) into the nearest center position and join hands to become the centers of the forming wave or line. When "flipping" a facing diamond, the points always take the inside path, and the centers always take the outside path.
v. Centers, Ends: Dancers near the center of the square or formation are Centers. Dancers on the outside of the square or formation are called Ends.
vi. Leaders, Trailers: In a tandem (one dancer behind another dancer) the dancers facing out of the box are the Leaders, the ones facing into the box are the Trailers.
9. Left/Right Hand Star: Indicated dancers step to the center of the formation to join the designated hand in a loose star; walk forward to starting position of next call. It is often a full turn but can be fractionalized. LEFT/ RIGHT HAND STAR – 4 dancers full around 8 steps.
21. Circulate Family:
21. a. Named Dancers Circulate: Named dancers can be Boys, Girls, Centers or Ends. The indicated (active) dancers move along their circulate path to the next position. NAMED DANCERS CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. b. Couples Circulate: As a couple move to the next couples place in the square; if you are looking at someone’s back step straight ahead; if you are looking out of the square as a couple move around the corner to the place of the next couple. COUPLES CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. c. All 8 Circulate: As an individual dancer move to the next position on your circulating path. For example, if you are a Center in an ocean wave, you remain a Center. If you are the End in an ocean wave, you remain an End. ALL 8 CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. d. Single File Circulate: In a column, each dancer moves to the next spot on the circulating path. SINGLE FILE CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. e. Box/Split Circulate: The formations divide into two separate boxes; dancers circulate to the next position on the circulating path in their foursome. SPLIT/BOX CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
35. Trade Family:
35 a. Trades: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Directed dancers change places with the identified person. The person you are trading with may be next to you or somewhere in your line. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. If you meet someone pass right shoulders. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS – 4 steps;
35 b. Couples: Directed couples change places with the other couple. You may be facing opposite directions or you may be facing the same direction. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. COUPLES – 6 steps.
35 c. Partner: Directed dancers change places with their partner. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. PARTNER – 4 steps;
39 a. Runs: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Designated dancers move forward and around another dancer as directed. This always results in a change of facing direction (180 degrees for the runner). The person being run around (runee) slides sideways to the vacated spot of the runner. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS RUN – 4 steps.
39 b. Cross Run: Designated runner steps forward moving in a half circle across the center line to end in designated open position. Ends become Centers and Centers become Ends. The runee without turning around slides into the open position. CROSS RUN – 6 steps.
58. Cast off 3/4: In a mini-wave using your joined hands, turn 3/4. In a line the center dancers walk forward using your joined hands as a pivot 3/4 or 3 walls or 5 steps. CAST OFF 3/4 – 6 steps.
Welcome to our new class members! Thanks for joining us!
After class last week someone commented that we might need to review some Basic calls. Basic and Mainstream calls are the foundation of Plus calls. The better you know them, the easier Plus dancing is. You will find that there are a few Plus calls that you dance at every Mainstream dance. You don’t know it because the caller calls the individual calls rather than the combined name they were given for the Plus program. If you find that you are being challenged with some of the Basic calls, review the definitions, go to more Mainstream dances with different callers, and go angel at a Basic/Mainstream class.
As I mentioned last week the most challenging calls in any program are the Basic calls: Runs, Trades, Circulates, Stars, and Casts. Some are challenging because when we dance them they feel much like one of the others. This is the mental exercise part of square dancing…keeping them straight and then dancing them correctly. But as callers are always saying to each other…if a dancer can dance these five calls correctly and accurately they can dance anywhere in the world to any caller.
I also wanted to mention that I am using the teaching order that is used at Plus In A Week at Circle 8 Ranch. In the definitions below, the numbers correspond to the Callerlab suggested teaching order.
I hope you got out to enjoy the lovely fall weather this weekend!
See you Monday!
Happy dancing,
Susan
PS You can also find these newsletters on my website – www.callersusan.com under the Cascade Crossfires tab.
PPS Reminder!!! I am sending this newsletter to all members of the Cascade Crossfires, new class members and to a few dancers who support the club regularly. If you do not want to receive them there is an Unsubscribe option at the end.
Week #2
1. Acey Deucey: Starting formation: parallel waves and two-faced lines; other formations where you are able to identify 4 centers and 4 ends (or outsides). TIMING – 4 steps
CENTERS must be able to TRADE within in adjacent pairs of 2. ENDS (or outsides) must be able to CIRCULATE and not become centers. Center 4 TRADE, while the others CIRCULATE.
4. Load The Boat: Starting formation - Lines of four, with centers facing in, and the ends of each line facing the same (in or out) direction. TIMING – 12 steps
The END dancers move forward around the outside, passing right shoulders with three moving END dancers, and turn one-quarter in (90º) to stand beside the third person passed, facing the center of the set as a couple. Simultaneously, the CENTER four dancers PASS THRU, TURN THEIR BACKS to their momentary partners, PARTNER TRADE with their new partners, and PASS THRU.
STYLING: The end dancers, while moving on the outside, leave enough room for the center dancers to work comfortably. Arms are held in natural dance position throughout the action, blending into the appropriate hand position for the next call.
6. Peel Off: Starting formation - Tandem Couples, Box Circulate, or Z formation. TIMING – 4 steps
Lead dancers walk in an approximate semicircle, away from the center of the starting formation, to become the ends of a four-dancer line. Trailing dancers step forward as necessary to become centers of the same line and U-TURN BACK, turning away from the center of the starting formation. All dancers end in a four-dancer line. Each dancer will have turned half (180º) to end facing the opposite direction from which they started. Peel Off from Tandem Couples ends in a One-Faced Line. Peel Off from Box Circulate or a Z ends in a Two-Faced Line.
Notes: Everyone can Roll after a Peel Off. Dancers move in a smooth, continuous motion that cannot be fractionalized. The center of the ending formation is the same as the center of the starting formation.
11. (Anything) & Roll: Starting formation - Various. TIMING – 2 steps
The term "... & Roll" may be added to any call which, by definition, causes one or more dancers to have turning body flow to the RIGHT or LEFT as they complete their portion of the call. It is an instruction to those dancer(s) to turn individually, in place, one quarter (90º) more in the direction of body flow determined by the preceding command.
Note that if "... and Roll" is added to a call, which by definition, has some dancers walking in a straight line at the completion of their portion of the call, those dancers will do nothing for the "... and Roll".
13. Fan The Top: Starting formation - ocean wave or two-faced lines. TIMING – 4 steps
The centers of the line or wave turn three quarters (270º) while the outside dancers move forward in a quarter circle. The ending formation is at right angles to the starting formation. Centers remain centers and ends remain ends.
18. Diamond Circulate: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps
Each dancer moves forward to the next position in his diamond, changing his original facing direction one-quarter (90°) toward the center of the diamond. Points become centers, and vice versa. If the call is directed to facing diamonds, all must pass right shoulders.
21. Flip The Diamond: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps
The centers of the diamond do a Diamond Circulate to the next position in their diamond, while the points Run ("Flip" 180º) into the nearest center position and join hands to become the centers of the forming wave or line. When "flipping" a facing diamond, the points always take the inside path, and the centers always take the outside path.
v. Centers, Ends: Dancers near the center of the square or formation are Centers. Dancers on the outside of the square or formation are called Ends.
vi. Leaders, Trailers: In a tandem (one dancer behind another dancer) the dancers facing out of the box are the Leaders, the ones facing into the box are the Trailers.
9. Left/Right Hand Star: Indicated dancers step to the center of the formation to join the designated hand in a loose star; walk forward to starting position of next call. It is often a full turn but can be fractionalized. LEFT/ RIGHT HAND STAR – 4 dancers full around 8 steps.
21. Circulate Family:
21. a. Named Dancers Circulate: Named dancers can be Boys, Girls, Centers or Ends. The indicated (active) dancers move along their circulate path to the next position. NAMED DANCERS CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. b. Couples Circulate: As a couple move to the next couples place in the square; if you are looking at someone’s back step straight ahead; if you are looking out of the square as a couple move around the corner to the place of the next couple. COUPLES CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. c. All 8 Circulate: As an individual dancer move to the next position on your circulating path. For example, if you are a Center in an ocean wave, you remain a Center. If you are the End in an ocean wave, you remain an End. ALL 8 CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. d. Single File Circulate: In a column, each dancer moves to the next spot on the circulating path. SINGLE FILE CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
21. e. Box/Split Circulate: The formations divide into two separate boxes; dancers circulate to the next position on the circulating path in their foursome. SPLIT/BOX CIRCULATE – 4 steps.
35. Trade Family:
35 a. Trades: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Directed dancers change places with the identified person. The person you are trading with may be next to you or somewhere in your line. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. If you meet someone pass right shoulders. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS – 4 steps;
35 b. Couples: Directed couples change places with the other couple. You may be facing opposite directions or you may be facing the same direction. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. COUPLES – 6 steps.
35 c. Partner: Directed dancers change places with their partner. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. PARTNER – 4 steps;
39 a. Runs: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Designated dancers move forward and around another dancer as directed. This always results in a change of facing direction (180 degrees for the runner). The person being run around (runee) slides sideways to the vacated spot of the runner. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS RUN – 4 steps.
39 b. Cross Run: Designated runner steps forward moving in a half circle across the center line to end in designated open position. Ends become Centers and Centers become Ends. The runee without turning around slides into the open position. CROSS RUN – 6 steps.
58. Cast off 3/4: In a mini-wave using your joined hands, turn 3/4. In a line the center dancers walk forward using your joined hands as a pivot 3/4 or 3 walls or 5 steps. CAST OFF 3/4 – 6 steps.